PRK (no-touch PRK)

The PRK method was performed for the first time in 1987 and is considered to be the “mother of all laser eye surgeries”. It was first developed further through the LASIK method and later through the femto-LASIK method. Nowadays, the PRK method is only applied when all other possible laser treatments do not come into consideration.

1. Detachment of epithelial tissue As opposed to the LASIK or femto-LASIK method, a PRK procedure removes the entire outer layer of the cornea (epithelium). In this way the layers of the cornea, which are then remodelled using a laser, can be exposed.
2. Laser remodelling As during the other types of laser procedures, the refractive error is corrected using an excimer laser to remodel the outer layer of the cornea. At the end, a contact lens is placed on the cornea to help protect the eye.
3. Postoperative phase Since the corneal epithelium has to regenerate, the postoperative phase can be more painful compared to other methods of laser eye treatment.Therefore, at our clinic the PRK method is only performed in exceptional cases – if a femto-LASIK procedure is not possible. The most common reason to employ the PRK method is a case where the corneal curvature is too severe.